You’re about to learn which shops and eateries at Southwest Florida International Airport are closing and why the changes matter to travelers. Several food and retail concessions in the main terminal and Concourse C will close as part of a $678 million terminal expansion that aims to increase capacity and improve airport efficiency.
They’ll still find some dining and retail options open pre-security and in other concourses, but the shuttered spots will reshape what’s available during travel days. The article breaks down the confirmed closures, the timeline, and how the pricey expansion project ties to service changes and future amenities.
Confirmed Store and Restaurant Closures
The airport will close multiple Hudson News locations and several legacy dining spots to make room for new tenants. Construction will remake over 200,000 square feet and add more than 40 new shops and restaurants across the older terminals.
List of Closed Stores and Restaurants
- Hudson News — six locations: All Hudson News shops inside Terminals A and B will close, affecting racks of books, travel essentials, and snack counters.
- Other legacy retailers: Several long-running vendors in the older concourses will be removed to clear contiguous space for larger concepts.
- Select local eateries: A handful of longstanding local-food outlets tied to the existing concessions contract will be shuttered or relocated during construction.
They expect 44 employees to be impacted by the Hudson closures specifically. The airport’s statements indicate incoming operators will take over many concession responsibilities, which may preserve some staff roles.
Timeline for Closures
Hudson warned the state the six airport stores would close in January or early February, with layoffs tied to that window. Major demolition and buildout work will begin in early 2026 and continue in phases.
Phase 1 construction starts early 2026 and will run into the summer. New openings roll out from summer 2026 through late 2028, allowing the airport to keep parts of Terminals A and B operational while work proceeds.
Impacted Businesses and Brands
Hudson Group, which operates more than 1,000 North American stores, is the highest-profile operator affected. The company stated the concessions contract is transitioning to a new operator and that it’s trying to connect affected team members with opportunities under the incoming operator.
Local and regional brands tied to the older terminal footprints will face lease terminations or relocation offers. Travelers can expect replacements including regional restaurants and new retail concepts that the airport has named among planned tenants, signaling a shift from small-format newsstands to larger dining and lifestyle outlets.
Details on the $678 Million Airport Expansion
The project reallocates 200,000+ sq ft of retail and dining space, moves out existing operators, and stages construction to keep passenger flow steady. It also prioritizes local restaurants, updated concessions layouts, and phased openings through 2028.
Expansion Projects and Construction Plans
The master plan remodels terminals A and B, converting six Hudson News locations and adjacent retail into a consolidated concessions corridor. Construction will reinvent more than 200,000 square feet to add over 40 food and retail outlets, including local brands such as 4Rivers Southern Smokehouse and Seito Sushi, alongside boutique retail concepts like Writer’s Block Bookstore.
Work begins with demolition of outdated concession shells, followed by core-and-shell upgrades: new electrical, HVAC, and plumbing to meet modern code and support heavier foot traffic. The program phases tenant fit-outs so some gates remain operational during peak travel. A targeted list of contractors and a staging map will manage deliveries and minimize passenger disruptions.
Reasons Behind the Renovations
Airport planners aim to reduce congestion in older terminals while increasing non-aeronautical revenue per passenger. Replacing small, scattered newsstands with larger, diverse offerings responds to traveler demand for varied dining and last-minute shopping options.
The renovation also targets aging infrastructure: outdated mechanical systems, narrow circulation corridors, and limited back-of-house space constrained concession operations. By upgrading utilities and reconfiguring layouts, the airport expects improved service speed, longer retail dwell times, and higher concession sales that help fund ongoing capital needs.
Expected Completion Dates
Construction is scheduled to start in early 2026, with initial tenant openings targeted for summer 2026. Phase sequencing runs through late 2028, with primary work on terminals A and B completed in multiple waves to align with peak travel seasons.
Some concessions will close temporarily—Hudson notified the state of planned layoffs as its six locations shut down in January or February—while new operators complete fit-outs. The airport projects major occupancy milestones each year, so travelers can expect rolling openings rather than a single final launch.
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